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GENERAL HULL FORM EQUATIONS
Long Tons Displacement LT
Displacement to Length Ratio = =
. 01 LWL 3 . 01 LWL 3
Cu. Ft. Displacement
Prismatic Coefficient = =
M idsection Area LWL Am LWL
Cu. Ft. Displacement
Block Coefficient = =
LWL WLB Body Draft L B DB
Midsection Area Am
Midsection Coefficient = =
WLBeam Body Draft WLB D B
Prismatic Coefficient =
Block Coefficient
=
CB
M idsection Coefficient CM
WP Area
Waterplane Coefficient =
LWL WLB
These are all dimensionless coefficients of form, which therefore allow comparison with other
boats, or even with models, independent of their differences in size.
COEFFICIENTS OF FORM
DISPLACEMENT TO LENGTH
Ranges for ∆/L (Displacement to Length) have been slowly re‐defined over the years, tending
toward lighter displacements within each range.
Sail
Light Multi ‐ Hulls 40 ‐ 50
Ultra ‐ Light Racers 100 ‐ 150
Light Racers 150 ‐ 200
Light Cruisers & Offshore Racers 200 ‐ 275
Medium Weight Cruisers 275 ‐ 325
Heavy Cruisers 325 ‐ 400
Power
Light Displacement 75 ‐ 200
Medium Displacement 200 ‐ 300
Heavy Displacement 300 ‐ 400
Heavier displacement requires more power / more sail area.
Heavier displacement is more comfortable.
SPEED TO LENGTH RATIO
For a displacement boat, speed is a function of waterline length. The maximum theoretical
speed is ordinarily assumed to be 1.34 times the square root of the LWL.
Velocity in Knots V
Speed to Length Ratio = =
Waterline Length LWL
The theoretical maximum SLR of 1.34 is the speed that a pair of waves can move through the
water, assumed to apply to the bow and stern waves generated by the vessel's motion. Above
this speed the boat begins to try to climb its bow wave.
Boats having a low D/L can exceed this (lesser wave making). Boats with a high D/L may not
achieve this theoretical maximum (greater wave making).
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PRISMATIC COEFFICIENT
The prismatic coefficient is the ratio of actual underbody volume to the volume of a prism
having a length equal to the DWL, and a section equal to the boat's maximum sectional area.
The prismatic coefficient provides an indication of the distribution of displacement.
It is an indication of the fineness of the ends relative to the midsection of the hull.
A low prismatic means fine ends and large mid‐body.
A high prismatic means there is more displacement distributed toward the ends.
For any given speed to length ratio, there is an ideal prismatic coefficient.
Fullness or fineness of the ends has a large effect on wave making resistance.
Optimum prismatic coefficient depends on the expected speed range.
Up to SLR of 1 the least resistance is with a prismatic of .53.
At SLR of 1.2 the ideal prismatic is .58.
At SLR of 1.35 the ideal prismatic is .62.
At SLR of 1.8 the ideal prismatic is . 70.
Sail
Opinion varies regarding the range of ideal prismatic coefficients. Most sources suggest that for
average conditions, the optimum prismatic is between .54 and .56.
Light winds and calm water favor a lower range of about .53 to .55.
Heavy winds and ocean sailing favor a higher range of about . 55 to .58.
The higher prismatic gives greater buoyancy in the ends, and displacement in the ends
contributes favorably to stability.
Philips‐Birt and others suggest that it is better to err on the high side in order to allow the least
penalty at higher speed, since light wind sailing suffers less from a low prismatic than fast sailing
suffers from a low prismatic.
Opinion also varies regarding whether the keel should be included when figuring the prismatic.
It is generally accepted that if the keel contributes significantly to the displacement of the ends,
it should be included. Conversely, the keel should be excluded when figuring the prismatic for a
canoe body and fin keel.
With a full bodied sailboat, having an integral full keel that fairs gradually into the hull, the
prismatic should include the keel.
With a well defined keel, whether full or not, if you figure the prismatic coefficient for the hull
separately, you have a much better idea of the overall hull shape. In this case a value can be
given for the prismatic both with and without the keel.
In either case, the keel does contribute to the dynamic displacement of the hull as it moves
through the water.
Power
For displacement power boats the same ranges as for sailboats would apply, except that it may
be easier to predict the usual operating speed.
Typical planing power boats seem to favor a range of from .60 to .70.
Semi‐planing boats seem to favor a range of from .60 to .65.
Full planing boats seem to favor a range of from .65 to .70.
Planing is more easily achieved with a higher prismatic (a greater distribution of displacement
toward the ends). For planing, many of the same considerations apply as for displacement
hulls.
SIMILITUDE OF SCALE
Surface Area varies as the Square of the Dimensions. (l x w)
Volume (Displacement) varies as the Cube of the Dimensions. (l x w x h)
Stability varies as the Fourth Power of the Dimensions. (l x w x h x righting arm)
Wetted Surface varies as the Square of the Dimensions.
Resistance varies as the Cube of the Dimensions.
Speed varies as the Square Root of the Waterline Length.
Sail Area varies as the Square of the Dimensions.
Wind Pressure varies as the Square of the Wind Speed.
Heeling Moment varies as the Cube of the Dimensions.
GM varies as the Cube of changes in Beam Only.
GM varies Inversely with Changes in Displacement Only.
Stability varies as the Fourth Power of the Dimensions.
Stability varies as the Square of changes in Beam Only.
Stability varies Directly with changes in Length Only
(if other dimensions remain same).